Causes of WWII US History

1920s: Isolation – reaction against WWI 1. 1920 - Rejection of the Treaty of Versailles – afraid of being pulled into foreign affairs 2. 1921 - Washington Naval Conference – major countries agree to reduce the size of their navies to make war less likely 3. 1928 - Kellogg Briand Pact – countries sign a treaty to outlaw aggressive war 4. 1931 – Japan Invades China – US ignores Japanese aggression and atrocities

Early 1930s: Storm Cellar Isolation 5. Early 1930s: Rise of Dictators - Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini 6. 1935,36, 37 - Neutrality Acts – when the president stated a country was at war Americans could not sail on their ships, sell them weapons or loan them money 7. 1937 - Quarantine Speech – President Roosevelt stated the US should “quarantine” or isolate the aggressive nations; this upset isolationists

1939: Start of World War II 8. 1939- Munich Conference – Britain and France give Germany Czechoslovakia in an attempt to appease Hitler’s aggression; it does not work 9. 1939 – Start of World War II - Germany invades Poland; Britain and France declare war on Germany – ALLIES V. AXIS 10. 1939-1941– German Victories – Germany conquers most of Europe, plans to invade England (never took place), invades USSR

1939-1941: US Path to War 11. 1939- Cash and Carry Laws – US will trade with Allies but they must pay cash (avoids debt) and carry on their ships (avoid conflict) 12. US Debates – many in the US want to make sure the US stays out of the war (America First Committee); FDR wants to get ready just in case 13. 1940 Election – FDR runs for and wins a third term arguing that he is experienced with crisis and should lead the country 14. 1940 – Bases for Destroyers Deal – America trades Britain 50 old naval boats in exchange for some navy bases in the Caribbean Sea 15. 1941 – Lend Lease Act – America will give the Allies anything they need for war except for soldiers (money, supplies, food, etc.)

Why were the US and Japan negotiating? 16: PACIFIC AFFAIRS - 4   Why were the US and Japan negotiating? 2) What action by FDR upset the Japanese? 3) What were Japan’s goals in attacking Pearl Harbor? 4) What was the impact of Pearl Harbor on US attitudes towards World War II?

Rise of Fascism in Germany

Joseph Stalin - USSR

Neutrality Acts

Japan Invades Manchuria (1931)

“Rape of Nanking” (1937) In six weeks up to 200,000 people were killed and anywhere from 20,000 to 80,000 women were raped by the Japanese Army.

Quarantine Speech

Munich Conference 1939 Appeasement of Hitler

German Expansion

Debates on Involvement

Election of 1940

Battle of Britain

Destroyers for Bases Deal

Lend Lease Act - 1941

Japan Expansion

Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor

A Date Which Will Live in Infamy December 7, 1941